Dispensing device for boxes



May 11 ,1926. U. LEWIS DIsPENsINGEVCE FOR BOXES Filed 'may ze.. 1924 are likely to get out of working order.

Patented May 11, 1926.

UA Lewis, or DALLAS, TEXAS.

risrnivsiirs DEVICE :son Boxns.

Application led May26,

rIliis invention relates to new and useful improvements in dispensing devices for boxes.

It is customary to use devices at drug stores, restaurants and the like, for dispensing matches, tooth picks, drinking straws, in limited quantities, but these devices require refilling when empty, involve an investment, are more or less complicated ad t very busy or rush hours it is inconvenient to refill these devices and at other times it is likely to be forgotton. The foregoing is recited merely to point out the need for my invention and not with any-intent to reflect upon the merits of these former devices.

The object of my invention is to provide an 'attachment which may be inserted in the match or other box for dispensing the contents in limited quantities.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a dispensing attachment which may be inserted in the regular box in which the matches, tooth picks or the like are sold; and

no interference with the contents had or the capacity reduced.

Another object is to lprovide an attachment which is self-feeding and which may be adjusted to close the box when not in use.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following s-pecification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a match box equipped with an attachment constructed in accordance with my invention` Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the box,

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the same,

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the attachment taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the attachment.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates an extensible dispensing attachment or dis'- pensing device which forms the essence of the invention. This attachment -or device comprises two sections or members 11 and 55 12, respectively, preferably formed of thin sheet metal. The inner ends of the sections 19a-i.` serial No. 715,883.

are overlapped and slidable uponeach other. Each section has ateach side 0f its inner fend, a lug 13 directed inwardly over the other section. The se lugs act as keepers to retain the sections in parallel relation, while sliding, and also as stops to limit the exten- .sion movement and prevent `disengagement of said sections.

In order that the attachment may bedislposed on an incline, thereby feeding by gravity, the section 12. has its outer end bent acutely and doubled upon itself to form a depending slotted rest 14. The fold of the rest is of such width to receive the end wall of the cardboard or other box with which it is used. The section 11 has its outer end- -bent acutely and oppositely4 to therest to form a lip 15, extending upwardly and acting to collect the articles rolling down the 4 attachment.

I have illustrated the attachment appliedv to a card board box having a tray A sliding through a rectangular jacket B, such as those now in common use for matches. The attachment is applied by removing the tray A from the jacket B and slitting the corners of the tray at one end, suciently to fold inwardly a portion C of the tray. The attachment 10 is placed on top of the matches in the tray with the rest 14 directed upwardly and the lip 15 directed downwardly. The rest is placed so that the edge of the end of the box is received in the slot of the rest, while the lug overhangs the outer face of the opposite end.

With the parts in this position the tray is slid into the jacket B and the box inverted to the position shown in Fig. 1. The rest 14 supports the box on an incline. The section 11 is extended by grasping and pulling the lip 15 outwardly as is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The attachment being inclined causes the matches to feed downwardly by gravity through the opening under the part C and into the trough formed by the extended end of the section 11. As the matches are dispensed the box settles down, the end of the tray working down the slot of the rest 14. The portion C prevents the matches crowding and packing at the discharge opening.

lWhen the box is not in use the section 11 may be slid inwardly so that the lip 15 closes the tray. If the matches do not feed fast enough or in sufficient quantities the the lip 15, which will cause an ample supply to roll down into the trough. It will be seen that no change in the presentmethod of packing and shipping matches is necessary, and after the attachment is used with one box it may be readily changed to another. This device has the advantage of supplying matches, toothpicks and the like as economically or as generously as may be desired. By making the portion C narrow, a narrow discharge opening will be made in the tray and the matches will be delivered to the trough economically; but by increasing the width of the portion C and the size of the opening, the matches will be .more freely discharged into the trough. Of

course it would be possible to make the attachment of a single piece and use it as a dispenser only.

- l/Vhat I claim, is:

1. A dispensing attachment for boxes comprising a member having at one end a depending portion :tor supporting said member and box the box on an incline and an upturned lip at the opposite end for retaining a commodity fed down the inclined member. p

2. A dispensing attachment for boxes comprising a pair of relatively extensible sections, one thereof having. a depending angular portion at its outer end adapted to extend beneath the box to support the attachment in inclined position upon means independent of the box and the other section having an oppositely disposed retaining lip at its outer en'd.

3. The combination with abox having an opening, of a dispensing attachment disposed in the box and extending through said opening, an upright rest at one end of the attachment having a recess to receive one of the walls of the box and extended to support both the box and attachment at an ineline, and a retaining lug at the lower end of the attachment adjacent the opening of the box.

4. The combination with a box having an opening, of a dispensing attachment disposed in the box and extending through said opening, an upright rest at one end of the attachment having a recess to receive one of the walls of the box and extended to support both the box and attachment at an incline,.and a retaining lug at the lower end of the attachment overlying the discharge opening of the box, said attachment being extensible, whereby tlie lug end may be 'slid to close the' opening of the box or reciprocated to feed the commodity therefrom.

In testimony whereof I atlixmy' signature. 1

UA LEWIS. 

